Allison Shreeve – Bass Strait Challenge

This was an epic adventure of the highest class. Allison decide she would like to be the 1st ever female to windsurf across the Bass Strait. We thought she was crazy! Plus we are all a little crazy too, so off we went on a fishing trawler – skippered and crewed by two great adventurous guys, Colin and Stuart.

We woke early to a breezy, cold, uneasy morning in Bernie, Tasmania. The call was made to go across the Strait that day, despite some hesitation regarding the conditions.

I had the extreme honour of hanging off the side of this trawler – as it followed Allison across the strait – in many precarious positions, with camera in hand. I got drenched within the first few minutes of the journey, which you’ll notice in this video – just after Allison passes the boat after taking off in the bay. This meant my main camera went down at the beginning, and I was forced to use my only back-up. Bit nerve wrecking, because this event was only going to happen once and I had to capture it. There’s no running to the nearest camera or convenience store in the middle of the Strait. Fortunately this next camera lasted, and history was created. Allison made it half way across, but due to the rough conditions was forced to climb onto the trawler and spend the rest of the journey covered in thermal blankets to battle to onset of Hypothermia.

We made this video the very next day after Allison’s historic attempt. We are hoping to get back to this some time and make longer video.

An amazing effort by Allison and all the crew that were involved. Something I’ll never forget!

Scott Keanie

True Peak Media

Watch to find out how Allison took on one of the most dangerous passages of water in the world!